Day 1 of course completed and I'm already confused...maybe I'm just stupid?

[BarryJ90]

Hey guys would love your opinion on this one.

Last night I started a City & Guilds level 1 diploma in Electrical Installations at my local college.

Upon arriving at the lesson at 6 o'clock the tutor took the register and then put up a diagram on the board of two switches controlling 4 fluorescent bulbs and then said "right guys I want you to follow this diagram, draw it up and then create it yourself on this board (plywood) using the wires, switch plates and bulbs provided, you have 1 hour 30 to finish it"

On the diagram it showed common, L1, L2, Neutral and Earth which of course is normal however I was a little confused as I thought with this course being the level 1 the whole theory side of it would be explained first, for example this is the beginner course yet everyone was expected to know the wiring colours already and what L1, L2, common etc is?

I feel a bit thick after this first session! , I mean I have done general tasks for my dads firm such as dragging cables under floorboards, puting on sockets etc but never actually anything like this.

I did speak to my dad about it after the lesson and he was very confused as to why everyone was thrown into the deep end straight away and why the theory of it all wasn't covered first. All I can think is that because a lot of the guys on the course are already electricians mates etc the tutor thought he would start us off with more advanced stuff?

I have a picture of the drawn diagram but I'm unsure how to post it up.

Anyhow let me know if I'm just being stupid and that it is normal to just jump straight into wiring stuff without actually knowing what all the wires are and why the go where

 

[BarryJ90]

This is the diagram

 

[telectrix]

if you consider a switch ( lighting for example) there are basiacally 2 types. 1 way and 2 way.

the 1 way is simple. Lin to Common, Lout from L1 (but there will be a L2 hole with no terminal in it)
a 2 way switch is also Lin to Common, and it toggles from C to L1 or L2.

just to confuse, some manufacturers will use different labels. i.e. L1 instead if C, and L2 and L3 for L1 and L2 respectively.

 

[BarryJ90]

That made more sense in a few sentences than the whole 3 hours did last night!

After speaking with me old man this morning I've decided to try to drop down to part time in my current job and go and work with him a few days every week, I will probably pick it up quicker then.

 

[telectrix]

looking at your diagram, you have 2 x 2 gang switches. each has a 1 way and a 2 way to control the lights as per the connection of the reds. break it down. do each 1 way first, then consider the 2 way. L is going into sw 1 then will connect to sw 2 via 1 of the 2 strappers. dependent on which way each switch is switched, the light/s will be on or off. trace it through.

 

[telectrix]

That made more sense in a few sentences than the whole 3 hours did last night!

After speaking with me old man this morning I've decided to try to drop down to part time in my current job and go and work with him a few days every week, I will probably pick it up quicker then.

that sounds like a plan.

 

[Pete999]

Hey guys would love your opinion on this one.

Last night I started a City & Guilds level 1 diploma in Electrical Installations at my local college.

Upon arriving at the lesson at 6 o'clock the tutor took the register and then put up a diagram on the board of two switches controlling 4 fluorescent bulbs and then said "right guys I want you to follow this diagram, draw it up and then create it yourself on this board (plywood) using the wires, switch plates and bulbs provided, you have 1 hour 30 to finish it"

On the diagram it showed common, L1, L2, Neutral and Earth which of course is normal however I was a little confused as I thought with this course being the level 1 the whole theory side of it would be explained first, for example this is the beginner course yet everyone was expected to know the wiring colours already and what L1, L2, common etc is?

I feel a bit thick after this first session! , I mean I have done general tasks for my dads firm such as dragging cables under floorboards, puting on sockets etc but never actually anything like this.

I did speak to my dad about it after the lesson and he was very confused as to why everyone was thrown into the deep end straight away and why the theory of it all wasn't covered first. All I can think is that because a lot of the guys on the course are already electricians mates etc the tutor thought he would start us off with more advanced stuff?

I have a picture of the drawn diagram but I'm unsure how to post it up.

Anyhow let me know if I'm just being stupid and that it is normal to just jump straight into wiring stuff without actually knowing what all the wires are and why the go where

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

 

[BarryJ90]

looking at your diagram, you have 2 x 2 gang switches. each has a 1 way and a 2 way to control the lights as per the connection of the reds. break it down. do each 1 way first, then consider the 2 way. L is going into sw 1 then will connect to sw 2 via 1 of the 2 strappers. dependent on which way each switch is switched, the light/s will be on or off. trace it through.

Thanks mate that makes sense, I may try to recreate this at home and practice. On a bit of plywood of course

I wonder if all this is covered in detail in the IET on site guide I've got, might be worth doing some homework.

 

[BarryJ90]

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

I don't want to rat on the college just yet as it might just of been a throw you into the deep end to see what level everyone's at kind of thing but if things continue to be confusing I may look into it.

I suppose I expected everything would be explained for a good few lessons first before we started practical stuff?

 

[gazdkw82]

Does seem abit much on day 1

 

[BarryJ90]

Does seem abit much on day 1

When your a bit thick like me mate it defo does, I may need to find an "electrics for dummies" guide

 

[Pete999]

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

Makes sense to go and work for your Dad, Check this vid out there are plenty more on youtube, could be worth your while looking at them, this guy JW is very good, I'll post one up for you but as I said plenty more to look at, good luck

 

[BarryJ90]

Makes sense to go and work for your Dad, Check this vid out there are plenty more on youtube, could be worth your while looking at them, this guy JW is very good, I'll post one up for you but as I said plenty more to look at, good luck

Thanks for this Pete, I'm gonna have a good watch of those tonight!

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for this Pete, I'm gonna have a good watch of those tonight!

You're welcome mate

 

[telectrix]

agree with pete. JW videos and also those by Chris Kitcher are very good.

if you stumble across one by a guy name of Kieran, beware. the guy is a class 1 plonker.